Camp 10^th  CV

In the field Before Richmond

March 12^th 1865.

           

My Dear Parrents

 

                                    I received your most welcom letter yesterday and now have a few leasure moments take the oppitunity to answer your kind letter for I know that you are anxious to hear from me for I am from you I would like to hear evry day if convenient but I will be satisfied to get a letter once a week I soppose you would like to know what is going on down hear I will endeavor to tell you / the most principle part is men deserting and inspections we have a inspection evry Wednesday and sunday to day we had regt a mental inspection and then a revew and was revewed by that noble Gen Grant O he is the man he looked finely we was in heavy marchin Orders that is evry thing that a soldier haves and by the time we got back we was pretty tired but I want so tierd but what I could write to you for I know that you would be anxios to hear and most evry day we have to go to see some one shot or hung I was detaild yesterday to shoot / a deserter and I shot him to that is the way we serve them down hear I have helped and seen 15 shot and 2 hung it is hard at first but we are use to it and dont mind anny more a bout it than shooting a bird the subs in our regt desert most evry day 2 deserted to day 1 yesterday and I think they all mean to desert the first oppitunity over 150 have gone all ready so you can see what good the subs are they had better pay them the bountys and keep them at home for they are of no use hear they have run down / the name of the 10^th regt we use to have the best name and now we aint know whear it is on acount of sutch men as they sent to fill up the regt I hope they all will go and leave non but the old members and if they desert as fast as they have done they will there is one hear that came a substitute for Watson Baldwin the weather is fine but the mud is deep I tell you the war is near to a close I cant but help thinking so anny how I am going to keep up good courage yet for I dont think it can last long I got the box at last all wright the meat was mouldy the cakes butter crackers cheese was good as ever bully for that also pies give my love to all write soon remember Eddie Herman to me the candy was good this is from your Son

Miles L Smith

 

write soon and all of the news

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